JOHNSON COUNTY—The City of Prairie Village received a message from one of the organizations they partnered with to collect and distribute protective equipment to the brave men and women fighting for their freedom in the Ukraine.
Recently, the police department sent 50 ballistic vests of various types to Ukraine and this week received a picture with some of the fighters wearing the vests that were donated.
The police department continue to partner with area police departments including Olathe, Spring Hill, the Miami County Sheriff'f office and the Blue Valley School District police to collect additional protective items such as gas masks, ballistic vests and helmets. Another shipment is on the way from these agencies.
Below is the message from the partner agency who helped distribute the equipment to Ukraine.
"Today I had the most wonderful conversation with the volunteer who transported armored vests donated by Prairie Village police department to Ukraine. As 100 soldiers lined up in front of him to greet him at the military training base, he thanked them for their bravery and apologized that he didn't have enough armored vests for all of them. Then he said "you'll have pick amongst yourselves who is worthy to wear these vests". One soldiers stepped forward without any hesitation and exclaimed he is that ready to die for Ukraine. The rest quickly deliberated and decided who will be honored to wear these vests."
"Recently I visited Washington DC and saw this quote at the Korean War memorial. It really stuck with me : "[US] ...answered the call to defeat a country they never new and a people they never met". This is what being an American is all about."
"Prairie Village police department I bow my head to you for your help, for stepping up and supporting "country you never new and people you never met". We will always be in debt and gratitude to you."